Aug 19, 2014

Book Review: CLAM WAKE by Mary Daheim

First Chapter, First Paragraph is a weekly meme hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea.

Clam Wake

First chapter:
Judith McMonigle Flynn stared at the mail on the credenza, glared at the thick packet's return address, and squared her broad shoulders before marching out of the front hall to confront her husband in the kitchen. 
"It's here, Joe," she announced. "Come and get it."
Book description:
Innkeeper Judith and cousin Renie face a cold-blooded killer in a beach community in this Bed-and-Breakfast mystery from author Mary Daheim. With the holidays gone and Hillside Manor almost empty, Judith has a housesitting stint at her aunt and uncle’s retirement home on Whoopee Island with cousin Renie. Surrounded by retirees in the off-season sounds peaceful and pleasant but it isn’t long before a dead body pops up. With suspicion over her and Renie, Judith begins sleuthing—if only to prove they didn’t commit the crime.
Digging for clams and answers, the cousins discover that retirement can be deadly—at least among the eclectic, eccentric residents of Obsession Shores.

My comments: A good plot in this newest in the series, with interesting and likeable main characters. Much of the book rests on the relationship between Judith and her cousin Renie; their amusing banter and commentary makes for interesting reading and a good chuckle, though their interchanges do not always hit the high mark for comedy.

Recommended for an easy and entertaining summer read.
Author Bio: Seattle native Mary Richardson Daheim lives three miles from the house where she was raised. Upon getting her journalism degree from the University of Washington, she went to work for a newspaper in Anacortes WA. Then, after her marriage to David Daheim, his first college teaching post was in Port Angeles where she became a reporter for the local daily. Both tours of small-town duty gave her the background for the Alpine/Emma Lord series.

Mary spent much of her non-fiction career in public relations (some would say PR is fiction, too).
She began her publishing career with the first of seven historical romances before switching to mysteries in 1991. At the time of her husband and mentor’s death in February 2010, David and Mary had been married for over 43 years. They have three daughters, Barbara, Katherine and Magdalen, and two granddaughters, Maisy and Clara. They all live in Seattle, too. 

See other reviews on the Partners in Crime Book Tour, which provided a review copy of this book.

GIVEAWAY: The publisher is giving away a copy of this book to a reader. Please leave a comment with your email address, U.S. residents only, or email me at harvee44@yahoo.com with your entry titled "Clam Wake Contest."  The contest will end August 26 and a winner announced August 27. 

UPDATE: The winner, chosen by random.com, is Patricia T. Congrats! 

26 comments:

  1. looks great, thank you for the chance to win :)
    jslbrown2009(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. It's a nice intro. Glad you enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh, this sounds like fun!
    jqsteve(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love to read about a bed and breakfast in a mystery.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think that the Bed and Breakfast setting combined with a murder mystery will appeal to my wife. I will recommend this one to her.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This book would be delightful. Thanks for this giveaway. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. It sounds like an intriguing and unique mystery. Many thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. It sounds like a fun setting. I like beachy reads and sometimes read cozies. Thanks for the chance! duffygal777(@)gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I can't enter because I am not in the USA or Canada, but I like this meme so it was nice to check it out! It's awesome that this is a book that relies on characters most and their relationships - those are my favourite types to read!

    Check out my review and giveaway: http://olivia-savannah.blogspot.nl/2014/08/legacy-glow-book-review-giveaway.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. I do love the sound of this one...great setting, too.

    Thanks for sharing, and here's mine: “FALLING INTO PLACE”

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm hooked, I want to know what's in that package. Enjoy your book. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love the title! Sounds like fun.

    florida982002[at]yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. Even though the beginning is not calling me too much, I do like the genre and the synopsis.
    Peggy @ The Pegster Reads

    ReplyDelete
  14. "An easy and entertaining summer read" -- sounds good to me! I like the book's setting and story line, and I'd like to win a copy.
    sannach (at) gmail (dot) com
    My Tuesday post features KATIE & THE IRISH TEXAN.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I liked the intro...I want to know what's in that packet!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This sounds like a good cozy mystery that would be fun to curl up with.

    ReplyDelete
  17. My mom is a huge fan of this author, although I have yet to try her work. I am glad you enjoyed it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. "Digging for clams and answers"..that sounds cute.
    I like the setting as well.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this mystery with us. It is a great series overall!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I would definite try this one. Cool cover as well.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Count me in!

    patucker54 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've seen this book on a couple of other blogs as well and it seems like a way to make Summer last a little longer. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

    ReplyDelete
  23. this is a new-to-me series!!
    I need to start it!!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. It sounds like a wonderful mystery. I haven't read any books by this author, but I would love to try this one. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congrats to Patricia T., the winner of the giveaway!

    ReplyDelete

I appreciate your comments and thoughts...

Three Novels: Japanese Mystery; Family Drama; Ecuadorian

  Books in the mail The Night of Baba Yaga  by Akira Otani (translated from the Japanese). July 2, 2024, Soho Crime This is an unusual novel...